Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Microsoft's Xbox 360 is expected to have a lucrative holiday season this year. Some of this is due to the hotly-anticipated Kinect motion gaming platform being released for the 360 this fall, but the games being released in time for Christmas also have a lot to do with it. It's not unusual for video game publishers to save their best offerings for the competitive holiday season, to drive up year-end profits and capture some of the deluge of money spent on video games during the holidays. This year, it's all about sequels. New installments of popular gaming franchises like Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty are the hottest commodities slated for release in time for the holidays. If someone on your holiday shopping list loves video games, keep these hot titles in mind.

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Call of Duty: Black Ops - $59.99 | Release Date: November 9, 2010

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The seventh installment in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops casts you as a member of elite special forces planted behind enemy lines. This first-person shooter is set in modern times, closer to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare than the series' installments set during World Wars I and II. The game includes a full single-player campaign in addition to competitive online multiplayer campaigns. This is an ideal choice for gamers who love shooters like Halo and Gears of War.

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Fable III - $59.99| Release Date: October 26, 2010

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Lionhead Studios' popular Fable RPG franchise uses a "Choose Your Own Adventure" style of gameplay, in which choices and morals matter. Whether you decide to be honorable or sneaky, kind or cruel determines the outcome of the game. The third installment in the series finds you as the child of Fable II's hero, with the weighty task of becoming King or Queen of Albion. What are you prepared to do to claim the throne?

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - $59.99 | Release Date: October 26, 2010

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What holiday season would be complete without the release of a Star Wars game? Though gamers will have to wait until next year for BioWare's heavily anticipated Star Wars MMORPG, this sequel to The Force Unleashed should keep them busy for a while. You play as Starkiller, Darth Vader's former apprentice - and the Force is strong with this one. While Starkiller's being hunted by Luke's daddy, he's combing the universe for his lost true love. Fans of the first installment of The Force Unleashed should enjoy this continuation to the story.

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Assassin's Creed:Brotherhood - $59.99 | Release Date: November 16, 2010

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The third game in beloved single-player series Assassin's Creed finds Ezio back and more powerful than ever. Now a Master Assassin, he leaves his Florentine palace for the Holy City of Rome in an epic battle against the Templar Order. This game makes things more interesting by adding a multiplayer element, adding unique and competitive gameplay when you get tired of climbing walls and stealthy killing (as if!). With plans already in the works for another Assassin's Creed title, the success (or failure) of Brotherhood may dictate the direction of future games in the series.

Most Anticipated Xbox 360 Games for Holiday 2010

Fallout: New Vegas - $59.99 | Release Date: October 19, 2010

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Fallout:New Vegas picks up 3 years after Fallout 3 left off. You're off to Las Vegas, whose residents are fairly healthy thanks to not being targeted with nuclear weapons. The city of Las Vegas is still a gambling hub, managed by a number of rival factions. You start off as a courier, wind up investigating an assassination plot, and do lots of gambling and faction missions inbetween. The future-steampunk style of the Fallout games includes gore and other mature themes, so keep this one away from young gamers.